The Swedish government’s latest move to restrict credit card gambling may signal a broader trend. Across Europe, more countries are working to prevent citizens from betting with credit.
On June 12, the government proposed a broader plan to tackle credit card gambling. The new proposal aims to stop both gambling store operators and online providers from accepting credit card payments from customers.
An existing Swedish rule already prevents licensed gaming firms from allowing customers to bet using the firm’s own credit lines.
The proposal of Sweden would stop firms from accepting credit cards if it is immediately apparent that the payment is a credit card payment.
Moreover, the measure would restrict players from entering into credit deals with third parties like loan providers when playing online games.
Finance Minister of Sweden, Niklas Wykman spoke about the bill, claiming that it could come into force in April 2026. He stated citizens simply should not bet with borrowed money.
Spelinspektionen, the gambling regulator of the country, also supports the expansion of existing credit ban measures.
In other EU nations, lawmakers have also been working to ban credit card gambling or issue blanket bans.
In November 2024, Nos reported that a cross-party group of Dutch MPs introduced a private member’s bill. The bill proposes a complete ban on all gambling funded by credit cards in the Netherlands.
The move came a month after Irish lawmakers voted in favor of a new gambling bill. In October of the past year, the Journal reported that the law forbids the use of credit cards for betting.
The UK government was the first pioneer of credit card bans elsewhere in Europe. On April 14, 2020, the country completed banned credit cards use in the gambling space.
British regulators claimed that 22% of credit card-using online gamblers were addicted to placing bets.
Policymakers, as well as gambling regulators elsewhere in the EU have also debated proposals to restrict credit card gambling.
